Schönbrunn - 13th district

Schönbrunn is a Baroque royal residence, situated in the classy Hietzing district. By many guide books it is considered the number one tourist attraction in Vienna, but unfortunately much of the original atmosphere inside has been lost in favour for tourism and commercialism so I think it has become a bit hyped. It is considered to be the Versailles of Austria and has been of of historically significance through centuries. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes of the Habsburg monarchs. It started to rain when I visited the castle, the last day on my Vienna trip, and it was not allowed to take pictures inside, so unfortunately I cannot show any photos of the grandiose interior. At the tour you borrow an audio guide and learn about the living of Franz Josef, Maria Theresa and Napoleon in the castle and Mozart's first concert. There are five tours, the shortest and cheapest one is just 35 minutes, but that should be enough to learn the basics about Schönbrunn and see the most important rooms. There are totally 1400 rooms in the palace.

Schloss Schönbrunn. History: The palace is designed by Johann Bernard Fischer von Erlach, as a commission from Emperor Leopold I. The middle part of the palace where completed 1699. But Maria Theresa of Austria, who got the palace as a present from here father wasn't satisfied with it, so she ordered the court architect Nicolò Pacassi to transform the palace and its gardens to a Rococo summer residence. It stayed the imperial summer residence , but Franz Josef I lived most of his life at Schönbrunn. He also died there in his bedroom 1916, that where seen on the tour. Since the downfall of Austrian monarchy in 1918, the newly found Austrian republic became the owner, and Schönbrunn became a museum. During WWII it was empty, but housed British military offices. The important meeting between John F Kennedy and the Russian president Nikita Khrushchev was held there in 1961. Since 1996, Schönbrunn is listed in UNESCO:s World Heritage List.

An orangerie, the world's oldest existing zoo and a palm terrace are adjancted to the palace complex.

The Gloriette and a small part of the huge Baroque garden that has the size of a small town! The gardens where not included in the imperial tour that I made. The Gloriette is situated on the hill above the garden and was designed to glorify the power of the Habsburg family, an idea from Maria Theresa. Today it houses a café.

Rainy Schönbrunn.

The entrance to Schönbrunn. In its Hall of mirrors Mozart held his first concert, only 5 years old. A shame it wasn't allowed to take pictures inside.

The plaza seen from the main entrance.

The 2 columns at the square in front of the palace.

A sculpture and a café to the left of the very touristy plaza in front of the castle.